Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)(91)

“Willow told me about the latest focus group.”

He shuts the door. “I warned her not to worry you about it.”

“I’m more worried about you.” With the debate happening this week, he needs to be at the top of his game, and the deep circles under his eyes don’t give me that impression.

He runs his hands through his slick hair until it no longer gets in his face. “My business isn’t the one at stake here.”

“It was one focus group, Lorenzo. I’d hardly hedge the whole election on it.”

He wipes his forehead with the towel he had draped around his neck. “The polls almost always reflect their comments.”

“Well, this time could be different. I met with the reporter, and she’s working on a front-page article about you and some of the businesses you’ve invested in. Those people want to help you and share their stories.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know if that will be enough.”

“It can help. Heck, learning about everything you’ve done to help give back made me see you in a completely new light, and I already knew a lot about you.”

“And what happens if none of it is enough? What if we spend the next two months trying, and it still doesn’t work out?” He shuts his eyes. “What if I lose?”

“I…I don’t know.” A cold feeling sweeps through my body as I take in his vacant eyes.

I understand Lorenzo losing the election is a possibility. Up until now, we’ve done a good job ignoring it, and honestly I’d like to hold on to that naivete a little while longer.

Lorenzo doesn’t seem to feel the same way. “It’s a reality we have to consider at some point.”

“Why?”

He averts his gaze. “Because what if I can’t do it?”

Goose bumps break out across my skin. “Do what…?”

His lips part, but he doesn’t speak. Looks like I’m not the only one who wants to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.

“What can’t you do?” I press.

His eyes shut, cutting me off from reading his emotions.

He has enough to stress about, I remind myself.

I grab both ends of the towel draped around his neck and pull him in. “We’ll figure it out together if the time comes, right?”

He kisses the top of my head. “Sounds good.”

It should, but the waver in his voice doesn’t match the vote of confidence.

Desperately wanting to banish the last bit of heaviness from the air, I change topics. “Are you tired from your workout, or could I interest you in a little bedroom cardio—”

Lorenzo throws me over his shoulder, taking the steps two at a time.

“Gross! You’re so…wet!”

The sound of his laugh echoes off the tall ceilings, and I feel ten times better already at the sound of it.

All my other worries melt away as Lorenzo and I spend the rest of the night together, reassuring me of our ability to weather whatever storm comes our way together.

Little did I know, not everyone wants to get on the same life raft.

Some would much rather drown.





CHAPTER FORTY-THREE


Lorenzo


The expected crowd size for tonight’s mayoral debate has doubled since the event was first announced, so it was switched to Wisteria High’s basketball court—the biggest indoor venue available in all of Lake Wisteria. All free tickets were reserved within the first day, so it will also be live streamed in classrooms throughout the high school for those who want to watch.

Willow says she hasn’t seen anyone this enthusiastic about an election before, and the voter-registration data reflects that. More people have signed up to vote in this election cycle year than any other year, so I should be happy, but this week’s focus group spooked me, and my anxiety spiked to an all-time high.

I’ll make up for the minor setback tonight and put to rest any lingering doubts about my ability to lead.

A door parallel to the teacher’s desk I’m sitting at creaks open, and Lily walks inside the classroom, looking like the future mayor’s wife in a periwinkle dress she bought with my credit card.

I never thought I’d enjoy buying something more than cars, but seeing Lily decked out in the clothes and jewelry I have bought her has me changing my mind. There is something incredibly satisfying about being able to provide for her, and screw Julian for insinuating that I couldn’t.

I’m so distracted by her outfit, I don’t notice her walking over to me with pinched brows.

“What’s that look for?” I ask.

She takes a seat on my lap and drapes her legs across my thighs before she starts to undo the knot of my tie. “It’s crooked.”

“I must’ve messed with it.”

“Nervous habit?”

I stay quiet.

She pauses her task. “Are you okay?”

Not really, but I can’t admit that to her, can I? She’s counting on me to pull out a win for the sake of Rose & Thorn, so I need to stay strong.

Or at least appear that way.

“Lorenzo?” she follows up when I don’t respond.

“I’m fine,” I say, my hand flexing as I resist the urge to touch my father’s die.

“Then why can’t you look at me?”